Northwest Airlines has abandoned plans to conduct employee background checks that are more rigorous than those required by the federal government.<br>
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Federal rules adopted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks direct airlines to complete criminal history checks on thousands of employees.<br>
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The federal government wants to identify people who have been convicted of disqualifying criminal offenses - such as theft or illegal possession of a controlled substance - within the last 10 years.<br>
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The Eagan, Minn.-based airline began the checks, but gathered information that went well beyond the 10-year limit and the list of about 30 disqualifying offenses.<br>
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The unions at Northwest protested because they feared veteran employees would be fired or disciplined for offenses committed 15 to 20 years ago.<br>
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They prevailed.<br>
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In a recent letter to Northwest's seven unions, the company said, "Information concerning crimes other than those listed in the federal regulations, or relative to convictions more than 10 years old, will not be used as a basis for employment action against incumbent non-probationary employees."<br>
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That letter was sent by Robert Brodin, Northwest senior vice president of labor relations.<br>
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Initially, Brodin wrote, Northwest planned to consider the additional information on a "case-by-case basis" because of its "obligation to provide a safe and secure workplace."<br>
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However, he said, company managers had more discussions and "evaluated equity issues among employees," then decided to simply stick with the federal mandate. <br>
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